Last Week around the Leagues
by Fran Stuchbury
November 5, 2019 - SPHL (SPHL)
Last week Forge FC won the inaugural Canadian Premier League Championship, the Arena Football League closed team services and business operations in their local markets, and Reign FC coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned his National Women's Soccer League position to take on the role of head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team. Highlights from this week are from the Canadian Premier League, Major League Soccer, XFL, Canadian Football League, Southern Professional Hockey League, American Hockey League, Western Hockey League and the United States Hockey League.
SOCCER
Canadian Premier League
Forge FC are the 2019 Canadian Premier League champions. The Hamilton outfit clawed their way to lifting the North Star Shield for the first time, as they downed Cavalry FC 1-0 at ATCO Field, Spruce Meadows, which added insurance to the 1-0 lead they earned a week prior at Tim Hortons Field. A late goal was the cherry on top for Forge, who took Finals 2019 2-0 on aggregate.
Here are the highlights:
Major League Soccer
Toronto FC midfielder Nick DeLeon with the game winning goal for Toronto FC to advance to the MLS Cup with a 2-1 victory over Atlanta United FC. They will play against the Seattle Sounders on November 10th.
National Women's Soccer League
Reign FC announced that head coach Vlatko Andonovski has resigned his position with Reign FC to take on the role of head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team. Andonovski will be introduced as the head coach of the U.S. Soccer Women's National Team at a press conference in New York City hosted by U.S. Soccer.
United Soccer League Championship
Fresno FC announces it's done in Fresno, ceasing operations. The lack of a soccer-specific stadium was the motivating factor in folding the team.
USL San Diego introduced its official club name of San Diego Loyal Soccer Club, along with its crest design and colors, at a community event in downtown San Diego. The club is the newest member of USL Championship and will begin play in March 2020 at Torero Stadium on the campus of University of San Diego
United Soccer League One
USL League One announced on that North Texas SC's Eric Quill has been voted the 2019 League One Coach of the Year. Quill led the youngest squad in the league to a remarkable inaugural season that saw North Texas finish top of the league's regular season standings and raise the trophy after taking victory in the 2019 League One Final.
Arturo Rodriguez was named the 2019 League One Most Valuable Player by USL League One on Friday, capping a breakout campaign that saw the 20-year-old attacking midfielder lead his side to the league title in its inaugural season.
FOOTBALL
XFL
XFL's LA Wildcats President Heather Brooks Karatz on Why the XFL Won't Be Like the AAF
Canadian Football League
Great reception by Hamilton Tiger-Cats rookie wide receiver David Ungerer.
A wild punt fake pays off for the BC Lions, and Brandon Rutley celebrates with pumped-up coach Nik Lewis.
Arena Football League
Indoor Football League
The Indoor Football League (IFL) is proud to announce the return and partnership of the league's newest team, the Spokane Shock. During a press conference at the Spokane Arena, team ownership announced that the Spokane team will compete as members of the IFL for the 2020 season. The team will be owned by former NFL great and All-Pro Defensive Tackle Sam Adams. Spokane also introduced former IFL Coach of the Year Billy Back as the team's new Head Coach.
HOCKEY
Southern Professional Hockey League
Peoria Riverman forward Darren McCormick with an awesome goal.
American Hockey League
The Syracuse Crunch picked up three goals in under a minute against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, including two tallies just five seconds apart.
Western Hockey League
Calgary Flames prospect goalie Dustin Wolf of the Everett Silvertips does the incredible to protect the net.
United States Hockey League
Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Danil Gushchin scored his FOURTH of the game, wins it in overtime and might have the goal of the year all in one play.
BASKETBALL
Women's National Basketball Association
NBA G League
The National Basketball Referees Association (NBRA) and the NBA G League announced the ratification of a new collective bargaining agreement. The three-year agreement begins with the 2019-20 season, which tips off Nov. 8.
LACROSSE
Major League Lacrosse
In 2019 MLL saw a 16% increase in total attendance year-over-year. Four of MLL's teams experienced double-digit attendance growth.
Did we miss anything newsworthy or downright fun? Have a nomination for next week's column? Contact us today and let us know.
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- Mayhem Add Ben Campbell in Trade with Knoxville - Macon Mayhem
- Last Week around the Leagues - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
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